Deicing and snow melting compositions and methods of use

ABSTRACT

A composition and method for safely and easily melting snow and ice is disclosed. The composition includes a pellet comprising an active ingredient; and a base comprising a water-soluble film-forming material, the pellet being attached to the base.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for safely andconveniently melting ice and snow from surfaces, including driveways,walkways and roads, as well as the roofs of buildings and vehicles.

SUMMARY

The most common method of removing snow and ice from, e.g., a drivewayis through the use of shovels. However, this method is verytime-consuming, physically difficult and potentially dangerous to theshoveler's health. Another method includes the use of a plow. However,plows are expensive to own, so people usually hire a plowing service ona per snowfall basis—but this can be costly, and there is no guaranteewhen (or if) the snow plow will plow the driveway. Moreover, plows maynot be able to remove all the snow and ice, so that a very thin layermay remain—which may then freeze, leading to hazardous conditions.Further, as most plows are attached to vehicles, and most vehicles burngasoline and use oil, the use of plows is not the mostenvironmentally-friendly method of removing snow. A third method ofremoving ice and snow involves chemical removal, such as by spreadingone or more types of chloride salt. However, while chloride salts arerelatively inexpensive, in large amounts they can be harmful to thesoil, may kill lawns and other plant life and may be corrosive to metalobjects (such as vehicles). Moreover, it can be difficult to uniformlyspread chloride salts evenly across a surface; rather, the chloridesalts can clump together in piles across the surface. A fourth methodinvolves the use of heat, such as through the installation of heatingelements under a driveway in order to heat the driveway and melt snowand ice. However, such a method may require an installation thatinvolves destroying an existing driveway and can be very expensive (interms of both energy use and installation costs).

Liquid compositions that include potassium acetate to deice planes atairports may be used; however, such compositions must be sprayed on theplanes in great quantities and so they are inconvenient to store and usein residential, commercial and vehicular applications.

Therefore, an inexpensive, environmentally-friendly and safe compositionthat could be easily and quickly deployed in order to melt snow and icefrom various surfaces would advance the art.

Embodiments of the present invention address these and otherdeficiencies by providing a device comprising i) a plurality of pelletsthat each comprise at least one active ingredient, and ii) a basecomprising water-soluble film-forming material(s), wherein the pluralityof pellets is attached to the base.

The active ingredient in the pellets is preferably potassium acetate;however, the active ingredient may also include one or more (eitheralone or combined with potassium acetate) of any compound that is known,either now or in the future, to melt snow and ice. While potassiumacetate is especially preferred, other preferred compounds includechloride salts, such as sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calciumchloride and potassium chloride; organic compounds, such as calciummagnesium acetate, potassium acetate, potassium formate, calciumformate, urea and agricultural by-products; or alcohols, diols andpolyols, such as methanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol andglycerol; and any derivatives thereof. Other ingredients that may beincluded in the pellets include water; corrosion inhibitors such astriazoles (including tolytriazole, benzyltriazole and benzotriazole),alcohols (including propargyl alcohol), nitrites (including sodiumnitrite), nitrates (including sodium nitrate), silicate salts (includingsodium silicate and potassium silicate), various other inorganics(including potassium phosphate and borax), various other organics(including sodium benzoate, phosphate esters and thiourea), andethanolamines (including monoethanolamine, diethanolamine andtriethanolamine); coloring agents of any color (including red, orange,yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, white, brown, black and grey, aswell as shades, hues and tints thereof) and various other excipientssuch as glidants, binders and lubricants. In some embodiments, thepellets may include ingredients such as acrylic acid polymers, naturalgums, alcohol ethoxylates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkylphenolethoxylates, alkylphenols, diamines, polyethylene oxide monomers,polyethylene oxide polymers. In some embodiments, the pellets mayinclude pH buffers (including phosphate-based pH buffers); pH reducers;antifoaming agents (including silicones); hydrophobic agents; solvents(including various alcohols); plasticizers; degradation agents andemulsifiers. In a preferred embodiment, potassium acetate is the onlyingredient in the pellet. It is envisioned that all the pellets in adevice have either the same, or different, compositions.

The pellets are preferably formed through a compression techniquewhereby the ingredients are combined and then compressed in acompression machine, such as a tablet press and the like; if there isonly one ingredient, then that ingredient is compressed in a compressionmachine, such as a tablet press and the like. However, the pellets mayalso comprise granules, spheres or cores comprising the ingredient(s),wherein the granules, spheres or cores are encapsulated.

The base may be any material that dissolves in water, includingmaterials such as gelatin, certain papers such as certain rice papers,and various polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol. Such water-solublematerial may also form the encapsulation material if the pellet isformed of encapsulated granules, spheres or cores. The base (orencapsulation material) may include excipients known to those in theart, including coloring agents of any color (including red, orange,yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, as well as shades, hues andtints thereof) and various other excipients such as glidants andlubricants; a particularly preferred excipient is a thickener, such asgluten, sugars or starches.

The pellets may be affixed to the base by any method known to those inthe art. For example, the base may be formed as a sheet (either a solidsheet or a sheet with cutouts so that it has the appearance of, e.g.,being woven). The pellets may then be disposed between two layers ofsheets (with the sheets adhered to each other by any known means, suchas through acceptable adhesives or heat sealing). The pellets may alsobe applied to the sheet while the sheet is in a semi-molten form, e.g.,while being produced—the pellets are therefore embedded in the sheet.

The pellets may also include one or more center or off-center holeswhereby ribbons of the base are interwoven between the plurality ofpellets.

It is also possible that the ingredients are not compressed orencapsulated into pellet form. In this instance, the various ingredientsare mixed together and then mixed with a solution of the base (if onlyone ingredient, it is mixed with a solution of the base); the resultingsolution is then formed into sheets and cooled. Alternatively, thevarious ingredients are mixed together and then, while the base issemi-molten and being formed into a sheet, the ingredients (or thesingle ingredient) are sprinkled over the base. In these two ways, theingredients are embedded throughout the base sheet. In anotherembodiment, an acceptable adhesive is applied to the base and then theingredients are sprinkled over the base and, therefore, adhere to thebase. In some embodiments, pellets may be affixed or secured to a basewherein the base has the active ingredient either embedded in or adheredthereto.

In some embodiments, the pellets have a thickness of between about0.01-24 inches, preferably about 0.02-20 inches, more preferably about0.03-18 inches. In some embodiments, the pellets have a thickness ofbetween about 0.1 inches and 2 inches, preferably about 0.2 inches and1.5 inches, even more preferably between about 0.25 inches and 1 inch.In some embodiments, the pellets may have a thickness of about 0.1inches, about 0.125 inches, about 0.2 inches, about 0.25 inches, about0.3 inches, about 0.375 inches, about 0.4 inches, about 0.5 inches,about 0.6 inches, about 0.625 inches, about 0.7 inches, about 0.75inches, about 0.8 inches, about 0.875 inches, about 0.9 inches, and/orabout 1.0 inches; in some embodiments, the pellets may have a thicknessin a range of between any of these values. It is envisioned that all thepellets in a device have either the same, or different, thicknesses. Insome embodiments, the pellets have a length and width (or diameter,depending on the pellet shape) that are the same or different from eachother (and from the thickness). In some embodiments, the length and/orwidth (or diameter, depending on the pellet shape) is from about 0.5-12inches, preferably about 1-9 inches, more preferably about 1.5-6 inches,even more preferably about 2-5 inches, yet even more preferably about2-4 inches, and most preferably about 2-3 inches. In some embodiments,the length and/or width (or diameter, depending on the pellet shape) isabout 2 inches, about 2.5 inches or about 3 inches; about 2.5 inches ismost preferred. It is envisioned that all the pellets in a device haveeither the same, or different, lengths and/or widths (or diameters,depending on the shape).

In the instance where the base is formed as a sheet or from interwovenribbons, the sheet or ribbons may include perforations at regularintervals so that a device may be cut into smaller dimensions.

In some instances, the device is sized to fit the width of a sidewalk orvehicle. Several such devices may be used to fit the width of adriveway. In one embodiment, a device has a width of about 6-36 inches,preferably about 12-24 inches, more preferably about 12-18 inches. Inthe same or a different embodiment, a device has a length of about 6-48inches, preferably about 12-36 inches, more preferably about 18-36inches, even more preferably about 24 inches.

In some embodiments, the device may include a relatively rigid skeleton(such as an outer border or internal support structures, or acombination of both) to enable easy handling. In these embodiments, theskeleton should be comprised of any material that dissolves in water,including materials such as gelatin, certain papers such as certain ricepapers, and various polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol; however, suchmaterials need to be prepared so that they exhibit sufficient rigidityto allow for easy handling and manipulation. In some embodiments, theskeleton comprises a polyvinyl alcohol that is thicker (and, therefore,has a higher tensile strength) than the polyvinyl alcohol in the base.In still other embodiments, the entire base may be relatively rigid andact as the skeleton.

The device may be placed on a sidewalk, walkway, driveway, vehicle orother surface either prior to snowfall, during snowfall or aftersnowfall. The device should melt at least about 1 inch of snow per hour,preferably at least about 2 inches of snow per hour, more preferably atleast about 3 inches of snow per hour, even more preferably at leastabout 4 inches of snow per hour, yet even more preferably at least about5 inches of snow per hour, and most preferably at least about 6 inchesof snow per hour. The total amount of snow melted by a single devicedepends on the amount of active ingredient present in each pelletindividually and in the device as a whole. If needed, a second (orthird, etc.) device can be used during snowfall if required based on thetype of snow (e.g., dry, powdery, wet, heavy, etc.) or the rate ofsnowfall. It is envisioned that, e.g., one device may be placed on topof another device prior to snowfall so that the amount of snow that canbe melted is effectively doubled (or three devices may be used to triplethe amount of snow that can be melted, etc.). It is also envisioned thatafter the pellets in the first device have been used up and they and thebase have become run-off, then a second device can be placed where thefirst device had previously been located; a third device, etc., can beplaced where the second device had previously been located.

In embodiments that contain potassium acetate as the active ingredient,the pellets contain about 0.1-20 grams potassium acetate. In a preferredembodiment, the pellets contain about 0.5-10 grams potassium acetate; ina more preferred embodiment, the pellets contain about 1-8 gramspotassium acetate; in an even more preferred embodiment, the pelletscontain about 1.5-6 grams potassium acetate; in yet an even morepreferred embodiment, the pellets contain about 2-5 grams potassiumacetate; in a most preferred embodiment, the pellets contain betweenabout 3-4 grams potassium acetate. In a preferred embodiment, thepellets contain about 3 grams potassium acetate. It is envisioned thateach of the pellets in a device may contain the same, or different,amounts of active ingredient, such as potassium acetate.

In some embodiments, a rounded pellet with a diameter of about 1 inchand a thickness of about 0.25 inches may melt about 6 inches of snow inabout 45 minutes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood when considered in viewof the attached drawings, in which like reference characters indicatelike parts. The drawings, however, are presented merely to illustratethe preferred embodiment of the invention without limiting the inventionin any manner whatsoever.

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of four different embodiments of a pellet of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the device (1) is comprised of a plurality ofpellets (2) connected to base ribbons (4) that are woven together. Thebase ribbons (4) may be inserted through holes (6) in the pellets (2),or the base ribbons (4) may be attached to the pellets (2) by othermeans known to those skilled in the art. The base ribbons (4) can alsoattach to a border (8) which can be the skeleton (which comprises arigid border in the figures). A magnified view (10) is also provided. Itis preferred that the rigid border (8) be on at least two sides of thedevice (1), preferably opposing sides; however, the rigid border (8) canalso be on two adjacent sides of the device (1). Additionally, the rigidborder (8) may also be on the third and/or fourth sides of the device(1). If the device (1) is of a different shape (e.g., round, oval, etc.;not shown), then it is preferred that the border be at least about 25%rigid border, even more preferred is at least about 33% of the border,yet even more preferred is at least about 50% of the border and mostpreferred is at least about 75% of the border. In some embodiments, theborder is about 100% rigid border. In some embodiments, the border isless than about 25% rigid border; in some embodiments the border isabout 0% rigid border. In some embodiments (not shown), the device doesnot include a border; rather, the skeleton may be in a different shape,such as an X. In such an embodiment, the skeleton may comprise two arms,each arm running diagonally from one corner to an opposite corner(thereby forming an X). In another embodiment that does not include aborder, the skeleton may be in the form of a cross or a plus-sign. Insuch an embodiment, the skeleton may comprise two arms, each arm runningfrom the center (or off-center) of a side to the center (or off-center)of the opposite side (thereby forming a cross or a plus-sign). Theskeleton may also be in any other shape that provides sufficientrigidity to the device to be easily handled and manipulated.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pellets of the invention may be rounded or oval.While any shape is acceptable, it is preferred that corners (which maybreak off) be minimized or eliminated. Therefore, it is preferred thatthe pellets be in shapes that are rounded or have rounded corners. Eachof the pellets in the device may be the same as, or different from, eachother.

As also shown in FIG. 2, the pellets can be of varying thicknesses (2 a,2 b, 2 c, 2 d) in order to provide for a device that can melt greater orlesser amounts of snow. While in some embodiments the pellets (2 a, 2 b,2 c, 2 d) have flat faces (12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d), in other embodimentsthe pellets may have three dimensional “faces” including convex andconcave, as well as various textures. Therefore, the pellets may bespheres, cubes or other three-dimensional shapes.

As shown in FIG. 4, two (or more) devices (1) can be connected togetherby perforations (14) to enable a user to easily select the desired sizeof the device. In some embodiments, the perforations (14) are notpresent, so a user can cut the device to the desired size. However, evenin embodiments that include perforations (14), a user can cut the deviceat other locations in order to obtain a device of a desired size. WhileFIG. 4 shows perforations (14) on only one border, the perforations mayalso be on more than one border so that one device (1) is connecteddirectly to two or more (not shown) devices (1). The perforations (14)also allow for the devices (1) to easily be folded on top of each otherfor placement into, e.g., a shipping box. The perforations (14) may bemade in the border, whether rigid or not (not shown).

Variations, modifications and alterations to the above detaileddescription will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All suchvariations, modifications and/or alternatives are intended to fallwithin the scope of the present invention, limited only by the appendedclaims.

All documents, patents and other literature referred to herein areincorporated by reference in their entirety.

The term “comprising” as used in the following claims is an open-endedtransitional term that is intended to include additional elements notspecifically recited in the claims. The term “consisting essentially of”as used in the following claims is a partially closed transitionalphrase and is intended to include the recited elements plus anyunspecified elements that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristics of the claims. For example, an adhesive laminate (theoutermost layer of the applied patch) embossed or printed with indiciawould still be included in the meaning of “consisting essentially of”,even if not specifically recited. The term “consisting of” as used inthe following claims is intended to indicate that the claims arerestricted to the recited elements.

Various measurements, such as amounts of ingredients and sizes, may bepresented in a range format. It is to be understood that such rangeformat is used merely for convenience and brevity and should beinterpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitlyrecited as the limits of the range, but also to include all theindividual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that rangeas if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited.

For example, a size range of 1 to 10 inches should be interpreted toinclude not only the explicitly recited size limits of 1 and 10, butalso to include individual sizes such as 2 inches, 3 inches, 4 inches,etc. as well as sub-ranges such as 2 to 6 inches, 4 to 7 inches, etc.This interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the rangeor the characteristic being described.

It should be noted that it is envisioned that any feature or elementthat is positively 15 identified in this document may also bespecifically excluded as a feature or element of an embodiment of thepresent invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device for elevating the melting point ofice and snow, the device comprising: a plurality of pellets comprisingan active ingredient, a hole completely intersecting each pellet of theplurality of pellets; and a base comprising a water-soluble material,wherein the base is arranged in a woven manner, and wherein theplurality of pellets is attached to the base by weaving the base througheach of the holes completely intersecting the plurality of pellets. 2.The device of claim 1, wherein the active ingredient is selected fromthe group consisting of chloride salts, organic compounds, alcohols andmixtures thereof.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the each pellet ofthe plurality of pellets has a thickness, which increases along thebase.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the each pellet of the pluralityof pellets contain at least one additive for the means to aiddistribution of the plurality of pellets runoff on a surface.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the base has a border tracing at least oneoutside edge of the base.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein theplurality of pellets contain at least one excipient.
 7. The device ofclaim 5, wherein the border is flexible.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein the device has an internal support structure which enables afolded state wherein there are at least two layers of the base.
 9. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pellets is composed of amember selected from the chemical group with a crystalline structureincluding chloride salts, acetates, silicates, and formates.
 10. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein the crystalline structure is apolycrystalline structure that is capable of fragmenting, aiding indispersion of the solid organic salt.
 11. A device for elevating themelting point for ice and snow, the device comprising: a plurality ofencapsulated granules containing a liquid deicing chemical, with a holecompletely intersecting the encapsulated granule; and a base comprisinga water-soluble material, wherein the encapsulated granule is attachedto the base, and wherein the base is arranged in a woven manner.
 12. Thedevice of claim 11, wherein the encapsulated granule is soluble indihydrogen monoxide (H₂O).
 13. The device of claim 5, wherein the bordercomprises a plastic.
 14. The device of claim 5, wherein the bordercomprises a water-soluble material.
 15. The device of claim 5, whereinthe border has an abrasive texture.
 16. The device of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of pellets is composed of granules, the granules aiding inrunoff of the solid organic salt.
 17. The device of claim 1, wherein thewater-soluble material is less soluble than the plurality of pellets.18. The device of claim 1, wherein each pellet of the plurality ofpellets is supplemented with pH buffers tailored to keep a runoffbetween a pH of 5.5 and 8.5.
 19. The device of claim 5, wherein theborder is configured to be attached to a second border.
 20. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the base includes at least one perforation, the atleast one perforation enabling the user to select a desired size of thebase.